Diverse Group of New TLC Police Graduates Includes Former Drivers

Over Half of New Officers Joining the Agency’s Enforcement Unit Once Drove for TLC – And They’ll Be Using Their Experience to Increase Public Safety

Media Assets: Official photos will be available here. Raw event footage, Recruit Training Video, Interviews and B-roll available for download here.

NEW YORK, NY – The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) today held a graduation ceremony for its latest class of Police Cadets – a diverse group of New Yorkers who speak a multitude of languages and includes a high percentage of former TLC licensees. They will join TLC’s Enforcement Unit, a specialized division of TLC’s Uniformed Services Bureau (USB) dedicated to deterring illegal vehicle operation and enforcing TLC, City, and State rules.

“The work you will be doing will be hard, important, and essential in ways that most New Yorkers will never appreciate,” TLC Commissioner David Do told the graduates, who gathered at One Police Plaza. “Always remember that the drivers we regulate need you. Most are immigrants who came here simply seeking life in a society that treats people equally, values fairness and the rule of law, and offers opportunity. Driving for-hire vehicles is often their very first toehold on the American Dream. Your knowledge of the system and your helpfulness, your judgement and experience, can change their lives for the better. Your professionalism sets an example that can go far beyond the moment.”

More than half of the class knows what it’s like to be regulated by TLC. Nine of the 16 officers have driven TLC vehicles in the past, including taxis and rideshares. Their knowledge of NYC’s streets, TLC rules, and ways that illegal drivers steal trips from licensed ones and jeopardize public safety should prove highly valuable.

"Those of you who have been TLC drivers yourselves understand how our talented officers ensure that licensees and their passengers travel safely and deter illegal and unlicensed operators,” said TLC Deputy Commissioner of Uniformed Services Bureau Ira Goldapper. “Your industry insights and knowledge are invaluable to monitoring our drivers and vehicles so that they follow the law. This critical mission starts with you.”

All TLC Cadets completed a rigorous, 22-week training program that included tactical, fitness, and customer service training, with a mission that is focused on public safety. Two major areas of emphasis for TLC Police are Vision Zero and illegal for-hire activity, and these officers are now experts in safe performance of car stops involving aggressive drivers, have expertise defusing conflicts, defense tactics, and the intricacies of TLC rules and City and State laws.

These officers bring an array of enforcement experience and diversity to the TLC, as seven have worked in enforcement at other agencies, including NYC Health and Hospitals, Department of Homeless Services, NYPD Traffic Enforcement and Department of Sanitation. Thirteen can speak or understand multiple languages, including Spanish, Hindi, Urdu and Bengali – which will help break down language barriers with TLC licensees.

TLC Police are also regularly assigned to Vision Zero enforcement in all boroughs and attend the NYPD Traffic Safety Forum to understand what issues specific precincts are experiencing and then participate in joint operations with individual precincts. In addition to its on-street enforcement role, the division also ensures compliance of applicable TLC rules by taxi garages, FHV bases, taximeter shops and driver education schools.

This is TLC’s second Cadet class since the COVID-19 pandemic – and an increase in staffing will result in greater gains in public safety by bolstering TLC’s patrol and enforcement capacity. TLC is currently recruiting 100 overall staff to the USB through 2025, and anyone interested in TLC Police’s next Cadet class should apply here: https://cityjobs.nyc.gov/job/tlc-officer-enforcement-in-queens-jid-25699

About the NYC TLC

Created in 1971, NYC TLC is the agency responsible for licensing and regulating New York City's medallion (yellow) taxi cabs, for-hire vehicles (community-based liveries, black cars, and luxury limousines), commuter vans, and paratransit vehicles, along with the businesses that operate them. It is recognized as the largest and most active taxi and for-hire vehicle regulatory body in the United States.

Over 200,000 TLC licensees complete approximately 1,000,000 trips each day. To operate for hire, drivers must first undergo a background check, have a safe driving record, and complete 24 hours of driver training. TLC-licensed vehicles are inspected for safety and emissions at TLC's Woodside Inspection Facility.

To find out more about the TLC, or to review its rules, regulations, and procedures, we encourage you to visit our official Web site at www.nyc.gov/taxi or contact 311/311 Online.

###